USARPAC chief expects Philippines deployment of MRC to provide info about system's performance in heat

Gen. Charles Flynn, the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, said today that he expects the recent deployment of the service’s new Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system will ultimately provide valuable information about the system’s performance under hot, humid conditions.

The MRC, part of the Army’s modernization portfolio, is a ground-launched, long-range, precision-fires system that can shoot the Standard Missile 6 and Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.

The 1st Multidomain Task Force deployed the MRC to Northern Luzon, Philippines April 11 as part of Exercise Salaknib -- a bilateral exercise with the Filipino and U.S. armies. The system was transported to the Philippines on a C-17 Globemaster III airframe with help from the Air Force’s 62nd Airlift Wing.

The deployment of the MRC to the Philippines was the first for the new capability, according to the Army.

Flynn, speaking to reporters by phone Wednesday, said it is important that the MRC be deployed in weather conditions that can feature 95-degree heat and 100% humidity.

“You have the effect of heat, you have the effect of humidity, you have the effect of saltwater corrosion," he said. "And so, all of these things are really helpful for us when we put that capability out there to learn, really in a very granular way, from the maintainers, to the commanders to the noncommissioned officers and warrant officers about the effects of those conditions on the equipment.”

Flynn declined to elaborate on the details of the lessons learned from the deployment so far.

In fiscal year 2025, the Army plans to spend $233 million to procure five MRC batteries and equipment for institutional soldier training, according to service budget documents.